Hart Memorial Trophy 2012: Tyler Seguin and the Most Unlikely NHL MVPs

Sophomore sensation Tyler Seguin is off to a dazzling start with 11 goals and 20 points in 16 games thus far. 

If it weren't for his play, the Boston Bruins would not be riding a six-game winning streak, looking to get back into playoff contention.

Early on in the season, the B's were experiencing a Stanley Cup Champion hangover, finding themselves in unfamiliar territory in the NHL's basement.

It would be hard to deny Seguin a look at the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player adjudged most valuable to his team. He, with Tim Thomas finally coming along, have the Bruins playing some excellent hockey once again.

Here's a look at the most unlikely candidates to win the NHL MVP this season. 

Thomas Vanek (Buffalo Sabres)

Ryan Miller is struggling to find any sort of consistency between the pipes, yet the Sabres have themselves atop the Northeast Division and in second place in the Eastern Conference.

Amongst the entire league, Thomas Vanek of the Buffalo Sabres currently ranks third in goals (11) and second in points (23). His three game-winning goals are good for third in the league as well, a very underrated category.

It's safe to say Vanek's play has been huge for them, as it always is each year. Should he keep up the stellar play, here's no doubt that he deserves consideration for the Hart, especially if Miller doesn't find his groove in net.

Nikolai Khabibulin (Edmonton Oilers)

The 38-year-old Nikolai Khabibulin looks like the goaltender the led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup in 2004.

The "Bulin Wall" has posted a dazzling 1.52 goals-against average along with a .945 save percentage and two shutouts.

Without his play between the pipes, the Edmonton Oilers would be lucky to be within four points of a playoff spot right now. However, he has the Oilers sitting in seventh place and second in the Northwest Division, behind the Minnesota Wild.

Goalies don't get enough love when it comes to MVP voting, when they really should get the most. No goalie has won the Hart Trophy since Jose Theodore in 2002, but if Khabibulin keeps this up, he'll earn himself some strong consideration.

Kris Versteeg (Florida Panthers)

As of last night, who would have thought that Kris Versteeg of the Florida Panthers would have the same amount of points (20) as Anaheim Ducks duo Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan combined? Or even four more than Detroit duo Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg?

Surely not I.

However, Versteeg is leading the charge for the newly-designed Florida Panthers, who have been one of the league's biggest surprises thus far thanks to retooling done by GM Dale Tallon. The Panthers are currently tied with the Washington Capitals for the top spot in the Southeast Division. 

Versteeg's 20 points through 17 games is good for tenth in the league, while his plus-11 rating ranks sixth amongst all players, showing his reliability on both ends of the ice.

I think I speak for nearly everybody when I say that nobody expected Florida to make the playoffs at the beginning of the year, nor be off to such a hot start. However, that's the beauty of the NHL; things like this can happen.

Should Versteeg continue down this road and the Panthers make the playoffs, there's no doubt he may get some looks for a Hart Trophy nomination. 

Kris Letang (Pittsburgh Penguins)

The last time a defenseman won the Hart Trophy was in 2000, when St. Louis Blues rearguard Chris Pronger (now with the Philadelphia Flyers) took home the award.

Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks to change that.

The 24-year-old Letang is currently second on the Pens in points with 16 in 16 games. His 14 assists also rank seventh in the entire NHL. With no Sidney Crosby, he and James Neal have been huge offensive catalysts in Pittsburgh, leading them to first place in the Eastern Conference.

His nine power-play points and single shorthanded point reveal how important Letang is to the Penguins team. That goes without mentioning the 27 minutes he plays each game, fifth amongst all NHL defenders.

And when you look at who the Hart Trophy is awarded to, that being the player most valuable to his team, you can certainly argue Letang deserves that title. 

Jimmy Howard (Detroit Red Wings)

There's a statistic I came across yesterday I found quite alarming. 27-year-old Jimmy Howard has already matched his career high in shutouts this season with three, good for a share of the league lead.

In his first two, full seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, I wasn't much of a believer in Howard as a true starting NHL goaltender. His often shiny numbers came off as a reflection of the dominant team set forth in front of him. 

However, this season, Howard is sporting an 8-4 record, a 1.69 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. Along with those numbers come those three shutouts.

It's hard to ignore that statistic, which is leaning me towards believing Howard may be ready for a coming out party in 2011-12.

Should he keep up his play, the Red Wings will once again make the playoffs for the 21st time in a row, and Howard will earn himself Hart consideration. Backstopping a team with an abysmal Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg to an eighth place Western Conference tie is quite remarkable.   

Tyler Seguin (Boston Bruins)

Early in the season, the Boston Bruins were sitting in last place, quite unfamiliar territory for a reigning Stanley Cup Champion.

Now, the B's are finally rolling on a six-game winning streak, largely in part to the huge play of Tyler Seguin, the sophomore who's showing no signs of slumping.

The 19-year-old Brampton, Ontario native has taken off running out of the gate, scoring 11 goals and 20 points through 16 games thus far. Those 11 goals have him tied for second in the league, behind Toronto's Phil Kessel.

Granted it's still early, without Seguin leading the charge, the Bruins would easily be more than a single point out of a playoff spot right now. That's something that must be taken into strong consideration when looking at Hart nominations.

Is it unlikely that Seguin becomes the youngest Hart Trophy winner since Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky? Sure, but there's no reason he can't keep up this pace.   

Phil Kessel (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Phil Kessel is off to a sparkling start, having posted 25 points through 18 games. There's no doubt that his play is a huge reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs are currently sitting nicely in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Should he keep this pace up, it'll see him score 59 goals and 113 points. Now, while that seems unlikely, even if Kessel finishes the season in the top-five for scoring, that would be a huge accomplishment, especially if the Maple Leafs make the playoffs. 

In that case, you would have to give Kessel some strong consideration there for the Hart.